Project People

I was with Clarity for 14 months and during that time had no problems with them at all. Quite the contrary in fact as I had to remind them that I wasn't paying them enough to respond to a query at 9:30 on a Friday night. I would still be with them now if not for the agency cutting down the numbers of umbrella companies they use. This is a small business that deserves to be included in all agencies 'accepted umbrella's list'.

As a contractor my experience with Project People has not been pleasant. They are saying that they try to work with you, but actually work against you and is their way or no way. If you have other options try and avoid this company. Unfortunately I have been stuck with them, but I would change it immediately if I could.

As a contractor my experience with Project People has not been pleasant. They are saying that they try to work with you, but actually work against you and is their way or no way. If you have other options try and avoid this company. Unfortunately I have been stuck with them, but I would change it immediately if I could.

As others, predetermined inside IR35 without looking at the contract. Any dispute is determined inside anyway. Blanket ban pretty much.

Absolutely clueless, not sure anyone has even read the legislation. The certainly don’t understand employers NI. God help anyone working through them.

Its a PSC Blanket Ban in all but name. Been given a number of reasons for Inside SDS all of which contradict the contract e.g. Contract says Substitution allowed, SDS say its not, contract says no MOO, SDS says there is MOO, contract says Employers and Professional Indemnity Insurance required for financial risks under the agreement, SDS says no financial risk.

Not a true independent process basically answers the KPMG to determine you inside. Not a true reflection of the contract with PSC and Project People and they have had a year to sort. Very poor from a company that relies heavily on contractor resource.

Unfair SDS (KPMG) hasn't referenced contract, contains factual errors & not indivually assessed either. No interest from management who are either disinterested or ignorant of the impact this may have to the business. Agency interested only in promoting their own umbrella services & maintaining their corporate relations. Feel let down and annoyed about the total failure to address this properly 2nd time around, feels almost deliberate.

Client using KPMG IR35 tool. I have been given an Inside IR35 SDS. It reasons clearly are not in line with the contract e.g. contract says i can substitute with suitably skilled candidate, SDS says I cant. SDS states no financial risk whereas contract says i need employer and public liability insurance to cover the financial risks under the agreement. Clearly due care has not been taken i.e. the contract has not been referenced as part of SDS. Been told that no rate increase and Employer taxes and apprentiseship levy deducted from rate. Not happy with this, told them I will not be staying around without either significant rate increase or Outside SDS taking into consideration my contract.

Everyone deemed inside with no assessment at all. Either go via project people's umbrella co. that is owned by them and is a joke or potential to go permanent. No opportunity for a fair assessment! I can see lots of people departing in the coming weeks.

They're offering a range of options including Statement of Work, Employed Consulting, and Inside IR35 contracts - they're doing comprehensive assessments and have a great calculation tool for a breakdown of pay impact. Going through a Statement of work from April. They had a talk with me over the phone about my role, how I work and what I'm doing. It was a solid process with the right outcome. There's a lot of confidence on the ground, for anyone looking to go through Statement of Work.

Due to the IR35 delay until April 2021 all contractors can continue working through their PSC. Also, any that had already signed up with an umbrella can revert back to their PSC.

Carry on via PSC for the time being.

Emergency brakes applied. Fujitsu has stopped short of issuing the "individual SDS" that were being created using the same inputs to the assessment questionnaire. They will carry on as-is for now as if nothing happened. The process will be revived next year.

Received offer of contract extension until Aug 2020 with the following statement "........Therefore all extensions are a continuation of your current contract with no outside/inside determination." Up to me (as PSC) to determine my own status - will be getting the contract checked very carefully!

KMPG tool used to enforce a blanket ban - box ticking exercise and shows what a flawed approach. A very poor experience from an employer that should know better. Dissappointed

SDS Assessment carried out by KPMG, looks like it is a blanket assessment as all contractors getting exactly the same determination. (I answered the CEST questions as accurately as I could and that placed me outside IR35!) No engagement with contractor whilst carrying out the assessment. Project I am working is probably 40-50% contractors so suspect it will suffer in the coming weeks as contractors decide to leave. Leaves me feeling very low; will be looking for another role closer to home but don't think now is really the best time to be looking for a new role!

KPMG have been engaged and suggested that contractors are excluded from the assessment process - smells of blanket ban

Still waiting to be told what is happening. Previously informed that individual assessments would be made, now supposed to be happening early next week! Leaving it to the last minute makes me very suspicious. No contact from agency yet.

Don’t care about contractors, simply asked to accept it or leave.

KPMG is doing the assessments for Fujitsu. All SAP consultants will be blanketed IR35 at existing rate with no rate increase. There is no dialogue and no intention of changing working practices. Leaving as soon as I get a role elsewhere.

Blanket ban on PSCs, no assessment. Go perm or Umbrella. Umbrella company also owned by Project People, the only agency used by Three. Significant number of contractors have not signed and will be leaving, placing delivery of major programmes at risk.

With a little over 1 month to go the individual consultations are JUST starting now. The previous desultory drop in day from Project People/Smartwork came across stone dead on their part. The sums were not even done correctly, and someone pointed this out which just got a lot of waffling in response. There are a number of people talking about leaving as the indication was that there be no uplift if we are shifted into an umbrella company. As the person above says it doesnt paint a good picture as to what MBNL thinks of their contingent workforce.

Blanket ban and not carrying out Determinations. Project people colluding with their other major client that is offering outside ir35 to prevent mass exodus so they don’t lose contractors on their books. No one has accepted umbrella option to date

I echo what everyone else has stated here. PP are ringing contractors asking if they are going to sign the extension under their umbrella and now saying contractors can use an alternative umbrella co. Have provided me with a link to FCSA umbrella’s. There are other umbrella’s on that list that are ‘sister’ companies to SmartWork who are owned by PP owner.

Informed of a take it or leave it offer. No additional compensation is granted. Very poorly handled drop in session from Project People/SmartWork. Despondent atmosphere in office - project people rubbed salt in the wound by saying they didn't have to pay extra as this isn't the public sector which was done years ago and they needed to retain staff, these days contractors have few other options - plenty of people took this as a slap in the face. Expect many will leave as soon as another option becomes available, as this left a lasting impression as to what MBNL thinks of us.

Corporate decision to change engagement model to PAYE via preferred Project People smartworks umbrella . No IR35 assessments done and scheduled switchover handled 100% by PP who have made a complete hash of it with inconsistent handling of queries and very misleading supporting information. To top it off PP want to take their standard monthly cost off each contractor on top of the decent % commission they Already charge Three for each contractor. Recently come to light that contractor can source alternative umbrella but PP sketchy about how that will work. Don’t believe a mass walk out will happen as we know we need to work and come judgement day people will realise that the legislation has killed the PSC. I’d love to know the impact on small accountant firms.

Change of engagement model meaning no assessment required. PP mandating that current contractors sign a ‘agency’ style contract or leave, contract is via an umbrella that PP own, no option to use umbrella of employees choice. Lots of unanswered questions and intimidation tactics used by PP and Three to get contractors to sign or leave

Just to note that this isn't just happening in the IT departments, but also in Transport. XPO and many other large transport companies are insisting that all drivers are on the Agency PAYE system. It doesn't take account of the fact that many on drive part time and do other work through their Limited Company, using the driving agency side to fill gaps in their workload. Now we can't work for them. I only have 3 people on the payroll, but without this work I might have to actually shut the company down.

No assessment offered, all deemed to be inside IR35 to lessen their workload. Work packages are not offered, everyone backed into a corner to use Project Peoples own umbrella (Kching!). Project People can make the March payments to your PSC before the legislation kicks in on 6th April but won't!

Massive pressure to sign a new 'smells like PAYE but doesn't really feel like it' contract with SmartWorks, an umbrella outfit owned by Project People (surprise, surprise!). Blanket ban on PSCs, no IR35 assessment offered, given or attempted. Many contractors have their own agencies, with multiple clients, others working for them, own equipment, own premises, etc. - Three is just one of their clients. This is totally unacceptable and Three will be losing a lot of good talent who simply can not restructure their entire business for just one client, especially considering it's unnecessary anyway.

Project People are OK compared to other agencies I’ve worked through. Invoices paid quickly. PP only offering umbrella from FCSA approved list.

No assessment. Blanket position on all contractors. Project People trying to force all contractors to Smartworks an umbrella also owned by them

Project People are about as much use as a chocolate fireguard, seem to be trying to double dip at the contractors expense by pushing everyone via their own umbrella. Key people not accepting, many others prepared to walk.

Project People are useless and only in it for the money as an umbrella company.

Basically performing a box ticking exercise using CEST but results deem contractors inside as answers given don't reflect fairly on actual practices. Contracts and working practices assessed independently give an outside result. Contractors also performing their own CEST give an out result but Fujitsu do not agree with answers provided despite it being answered with honest intentions.

Am not currently engaged with Fujitsu, however have spoken to Project People and been put forward for the role, they say that each role will be re-assessed in April, but at this point it is unclear as to the status.

No assessments, all deemed inside IR35. PAYE via Umbrella. Majority of contractors contracts end 28 Feb but they are wanting us to sign new contracts ASAP.

Blanket inside IR35, contractors not accepting the offer, only benefits to agency and Umbrella company. Short deadline to accept the offer.

Project peoples is taking it chunk as agency and Umbrella smartworks which is also own by PP owner acting as PAYE employer.

All contractors are expected to go on or before April.

This is the current info